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2 SheetsSheet 17 (No 'Model.)

-S. N. GIPFORD.

VOTE REGISTERING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

ATTOHNEU.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. S. N. GIPFORD. VOTE REGISTERING MAGHINE. No. 593,323. Patented Nov. 9. 1897.

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INVENTOR A TTORNE UNITED STATES SAMUEL N. GIFFORD, OF LIVERMORE FALLS, MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- THIRD TO FRANK A. MILLETT, OF SAME PLACE.

VOTE-REGISTERING MACHINE.

SIBEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,323, dated November 9, 1897.

Application fi September 3, 1896. Serial No. 604,744 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL N. GIFFORD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Livermore Falls, .in the county of Androscoggin and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vote-Registering Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanyin g drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to voting and ballotcounting machines; and the object thereof is to provide an improved device of this class which will count the ballots as they are voted and by means of which the exact number of ballots voted may be determined at any time, a further object being to provide a ballotcounting machine into and'through which each ballot passes when voted and by means of which each ballot is counted when deposited therein.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view, on a'small scale, of my improved ballot-counting machine; Fig. 2, a plan view with the top or cover removed; Fig. 8, a side view with one side of the box or casing removed and looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a sectional view of a part of the box or casing and an end view of the ballot-counting mechanism, and Fig. 5 a side view of a detail of the construction.

In the practice of my invention I provide a box or casing A, a perspective view of which is given in Fig. 1, and said box or casing is provided with a cap or cover B, in which are formed two longitudinal slots b and bithrough the former of which the ballots are .passed and through the latter of which the counting or registering mechanism may be seen; and said box or casing is also provided witha front or side 0, in which is a vertical slot 0 through which projects the lever 0 which operates the counting or registering mechanism, also the mechanism by means of which the ballot is deposited.

Immediately below the slot b,which is shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3, is a ballot-chute D, which is pivotally supported at its top, as shown in dotted lines at d in Figs. 2 and 3, and the lower end of which is adapted to swing back and forth over a slot d in the bottom of the box or casing, which is shown in full lines in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and between the top of the chute D, which is oblong and rectangular in cross-section, and the cap or cover of the box or casing is a sliding plate d which covers the upper open end of the chute D.

The lever 0 which operates the ballot counting or registering mechanism and also other elements of the construction, is pivoted near the back of the casing, as shown at C in Figs. 2 and3, and extends transversely across the same and projects through the slot C and I also provide a spring 0 which is secured near the pivoted end of said lever and which projects forwardly and bears on the upper side thereof and is adapted to depress the same, and said lever (J is provided with a slot 0 through which passes one end of a crank-lever E, which is revolubly mounted in a keeper E secured to the bottom of the box or casing or toaplate Eiconnected therewith, and the lever E is also provided with a. crank E, which extends upwardly and is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and the upper end thereof is provided with jaws E which are secured in any suitable and desirable.

manner, which are shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and between which passes a slotted bar E and the upwardly-directed extension E of the lever E or the jaws E thereof are provided with a transverse pin, which passes through the slot in the bar E, and the inner end of the bar E is pivotally connected with the chute D at E and the forward or outer end of said slotted bar is adapted to abut against aframe or post E, which is secured to the casing. By means of this construction it will be observed that the lower end of the chute D may be swung back and forth on its pivotal supportsby simply raising and lowering the lever 0 and in the backward movement of said chute the lower end thereof is over the slot or opening d in the bottom of the box or casing, and secured to one side of the box or casing at F, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, is a spring F one end of which passes through the slotted bar E adjacent to said pivotal connection with the chute D, as shown at F and which operates to force the bottom of the chute backwardly.

Secured to the sliding plate d which forms a cover for the chute D, is an arm G, with which is pivotally connected a crank-lever g, which extends downwardly to the bottom of the box or casing and which is provided with an angular arm which passes through keepers g and g and which is provided with an outwardly-directed extension or arm g, at the end of which is an arm g, upon which the lever 0 is adapted to bear when depressed, and when the lever C is depressed the plate (Z will be drawn forwardly and the upper end of the chute D uncovered, and secured to the side of the box or casing at g is a spring the upper end of which is provided with an arm g", which passes through the arm G ora shoulder or projection g formed thereon, and the object of the spring g is to force the plate (1* backwardly, so as to close the chute at each operation thereof.

Pivotally supported atj is a plate 7' which extends transversely across the bottom of the lower end of the chute when the said lower end is in the forward position, and said plate is provided centrally thereof with a yoke or other attaching device j, with which is pivotally connected a rod or lever j, said rod or lever being crank-shaped in form, as shown in Fig. 3, and the longer arm thereof extends forwardly and passes through a keeper j, and said arm is also screw-tl'ireaded and provided with a nut j, which is adapted to serve as a counterbalance-weight, and the outer end of said rod or crank-lever j is also adapted to engage with a sliding bar 71 which passes between the keeper f and a similar keeper f, and the sliding bar it is provided on its upperside with a notch or recess 71, and pivotally supported thereover is a lever 7L2, one end of which is adapted to engage with said notch or recess 7L and the other end of which projects across the slot 0 and is adapted to be operated by the lever 0 and secured to the box or easing adjacent to the end of the bar H opposite the lever O is a spiral spring 7L3, which is designed to withdraw said bar at each operation thereof.

Pivot-ally connected with the lever O and centrally thereof is a vertical rod K, which is pivotally connected at It, as shown in Fig. 3, with a crank H, which is mounted on a shaft which is supported between the end of the slot 1) and the end of the box or casing and beneath the slot b and said shaft 7,5 which is shown in Figs. 3 and l, is provided with a plurality of registry-wheels, which are preferably four in number and which are desig nated by the reference letters L, L L and L".

The registry-wheels L, L L and L are each provided on their periineters with ten plain spaces, which are designated as 1, LC 2,77 [(3)77 (4,77 (5,77 {C 6,77 (C I7, ((8777 (C0,)? O, and the central wheels L and L are provided on each side with sprocket-hubs in, each of which is provided with ten sprockets, and the outer wheels L and L are provided on their inner sides with similar sprockethubs m, and secured to the crank k is a sprocket-wheel 071 which is provided with a number of sprockets equal to those on the hubs in, and secured to the registry-wheel. L is a spring-operated pawl in, which is shown in Fig. at, on which bears a spring m, which is also secured to the wheel L.

At the rear of the shaft 7: is another shaft N,on which are mounted three tubular sleeves or collars N and on each of said sleeves or collars N is a sprocket-wheel 71, each of which is provided with ten sprockets, and the inner sprocketwheeln is adapted to operate in connection with the inner sprocket-hub m on the wheel L. The central sprocket-wheel. n is adapted to operate in connection with the in.- ner sprocket-hub m on the wheel L and the outer sprocket-wheel a is adapted to operate in connection with a sprocket-hub m on the wheel L and each of said sprocket-wheels n is provided on its outer side with a pawl n and the pawl on the outer sprocket-wheel a is adapted to operate the inner hub m on the wheel L,an d the pawl on the central sprocketwheel a is adapted to operate the inner hub m on the wheel L and the pawl on the inner sprocket-wheelnis adapted to operate in conneetion with the inner hub men the wheel L Arranged in front of each of the registrywheels L, L L, and L is a vertical spring 0, each of which is provided at its upper end with a shoulder or projection 0 which is adapted to operate in connection with correspending notches or recesses O in the perimeters of the wheels in front of which the springs are placed, and each time that the lever C is raised and depressed the registry wheel L will be turned through one space by the sprocket n and the pawl m".

\Vhen the wheel L is turned one complete revolution, ten ballots will be counted, and at the next movement of the lever the wheel L will be turned through one space and the wheel L also through one space, thus regisi tering eleven votes, and at the next complete revolution of the wheel L the wheel L will be turned through one space, thus registering twenty votes, and so on and each time that the wheel L is revolved ten times the wheel L will be revolved one, and each time that the wheel L is revolved ten times the wheel L will be revolved once, and each time the wheel L is revolved ten times the wheel L" will be revolved once; and by means of this time that the lever 0" is depressed the plate is turned from over the top of the chute D, and the bottom of said chute is turned backward] y over the pivoted plate j and the ballot is dropped into the chute and on the said plate, and the weight j on the leverj is intended to be so adjusted that the weight of the ballot on the plate 7' will depress said plate and withdraw the lever j from its connection with the sliding bar h, so that the spring h can withdraw the bar H and permit of the upward movement of the lever O, and this operation will be repeated each time that a ballot is de posited, and by means of this operation each ballot will be counted or registered, as hereinbefore described.

This device is simple in construction and operation and is perfectly adapted to accomplish the result for which it is intended, and it is evident that changes in and modifications of the construction herein described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

The box or casing A is adapted to be placed over a suitable receptacle, into which the ballots will drop when they pass through the slot (Z Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a ballot counting or registering machine, the combination with a suitable casing, which is provided with a slot in the top thereof, ihro ugh which the ballots are passed, and another slot through which the counting or registering mechanism may be seen, of a pivoted chute which is supported below the slot, through which the ballotsare passed, a sliding plate which is adapted to close said slot, a pivoted plate below said chute, onto which the ballots are dropped, and which is arranged adjacent to the slot in the box or casing, and devices connected with said chute, and said plate for operating the same, and for operating said registering and counting mechanism each time that a ballot is deposited, consisting of a lever pivotally supported in the box or casing, and projecting through a slot in the side thereof, and operative devices connected therewith, and with said sliding plate, and said chute by which the latter are operated each time that a ballot is deposited, said lever being also in operative connection with the registering mechanism,

substantially as shown and described.

2. In a ballot counting or registering ma chine, the combination with a suitable box or casing, of a registering or counting device, consisting of a plurality of registry or counting wheels, mounted on a suitable shaft, each of which is provided with ten surfaces or spaces, which are designated as herein described, and each of which is provided with sprocket-hubs, having ten sprockets formed thereon, said sprocket-wheels, mounted adjacent to and adapted to operate in connection with the sprocket-hubs on the registering or counting wheels, and each sprocketwheel being provided with a pawl, by which the hub on theadjacent wheel is operated,

and apivoted lever, connected with a crank, which is mounted on the shaft on which the registry-wheels are mounted, and which is provided with a sprocket-wheel, having ten sprockets formed thereon, and which is adapted to operate the adjacent registry- Wheel, by means of a pivoted pawl connected therewith, said lever being adapted to be operated each time that a ballot is deposited,

and said box or casing being provided with a slot, through which the ballots are passed,

below WlJlClldS placed a sliding plate, which operate in connection with the sprocket-hubs on the registering or counting wheels, and each sprocket-wheel being provided with-a pawl, by which the hub on the adjacent wheel is adapted to be operated, and a pivoted lever connected with a crank, which is mounted on the shaft on which the registry-wheels are mounted, and which is provided with a sprocket-wheel having ten sprockets formed thereon, and which is adapted to operate the adjacent registry-wheel,by means of a pivoted pawl connected therewith, said lever being adapted to be operated each time that a ballot is deposited, and said box or casing being pro vided with a slot, through which the ballots are passed below which is placed a sliding plate, which is in operative connection with said lever, and said box or casing being also provided with a pivotally-supported chute, which extends from said slot, andbelow which is a pivoted plate, onto which the ballots drop when deposited, said plate being provided with an arm or lever, on which is mounted a screw-threaded nut, said lever being adapted to engage with a sliding bar in connection with which the lever which operates the registering mechanism operates, substantiallyas shown and described.

4:. In a ballot counting or registering machine the combination with a suitable box or casing provided with a slot in the top through which the ballots are passed and with another slot through which the counting or registering mechanism may be seen, of aleverpivotally secured near the back of said casing and extending transversely across the same and projecting through the slot 0 of the spring secured near the pivoted end of said lever, and which projects forwardly and secured on the upper side thereof and the top to depress the same, said lever being provided withalongitudinal slot through which passes one end of a crank-lever which is revolubly mounted,

and secured to the bottom of the box or casing for the purpose set forth, of a chute pivotally supported below said slide through which the ballots are passed the bottom of the casing being provided with a slot below said chute, said slot through which the ballots are passed being provided with a sliding plate or cover and means connecting said lever with said plate and said chute for operating said plate and for swinging the lower end of the chute, and devices connected with said lever an d the registering or counting mechanism by which the latter is operated, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a ballot counting or registering machine, the combination of a suitable box or casing, provided with a slot in the top through which ballots are passed and provided with another slot through which counting 0r registering mechanism maybe seen, of a lever pivotally secured near the back of said casing and extending transversely across the same of a front side 0 in which is formed a vertical slot 0 through which said lever passes and a spring which is secured near the pivoted end of the said lever and which projects forwardly on the upper side thereof and is adapted to depress the same, a chute pivotally supported below the slot through which the ballots are passed the bottom of the easing being provided with a slot below said chute, said slot through which ballots are passed being provided with a sliding plate or cover, the means connected with said lever and with said plate, and said chute for operating said plate, and for swinging the lower end of said chute and a device connected with said lever and the registering or counting mechanism consisting of a plurality of wheels which are provided with ten spaces which are numbered as herein described, and which are adapted to be operated for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoin g as my invention I have signed my name, in pres ence of the subscribing witnesses, this 27th day of August, 1806.

SAMUEL N. GIFFORD.

\Vitnesses:

JEssE II. SoULE, DAVIS MAXWELL. 

